Serial ROM devices

ABSTRACT

A read only memory device with a matrix of series connected FET&#39;s addressed with X and Y decoding, a control switch between the output line and a voltage source operant to connect or not the voltage source to the output line in response to a control signal phi, and a second control switch, responsive to the same signal phi, provided between ground and each string of series connected FET&#39;s.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a serial ROM device comprising a plurality of series memory cell means each including at least one logic-"0" memorizing memory cell of an FET which has a logic "1" bit fixedly memorized therein and which is operative to assume a non-conduction state when supplied with a logic "0" Y address signal, and at least one logic-"1" memorizing memory cell of an FET which has a logic "0" bit fixedly memorized therein and which is operative to stay in a non-conduction state when supplied with a logic "0" Y address signal, the memory cells being connected in series with one another from a first-stage to a final-sgate in a fixedly determined sequence, Y address decoding means for distributing logic "0" Y address signals successively and respectively to common gate lines each interconnecting the gates of the FETs forming the memory cells of corresponding stages in the series memory cell means, X address decoding means for connecting jointly to an output line the FETs forming the respective first-stage memory cells of the individual series memory cell means in response to X address signals successively and respectively to common gate lines each interconnecting the gates of the FETs forming the memory cells of corresponding stages in the series memory cell means, first control switch means provided between the output line and a voltage source and operative to have the voltage source connected to or disconnected from the output line "O" in response to a control signal, second control switch means provided between ground and each of the series memory cell means and operative to have the FETs forming the respective final-stage memory cells of the individual series memory cell means connected to or disconnected from ground in response to the control signal, and control signal generating means for supplying the control signal to the first and second control switch means, the ROM device having successive readout cycles each starting with the supply of the X address signals and each consisting an X-Y address select step, a memory cell unit precharge step and a memory cell unit discharge step, the control signal generating means being operative to supply a logic "1" signal as the control signal to the first and second control switch means for maintaining the first control switch means in non-conduction state and the second control switch means in conduction state during the X-Y address select step, to supply a logic "0" signal as the control signal to the first and second control switch means for maintaining the first control switch means in conduction state and the second control switch means in non-conduction state during the memory cell unit precharge step, and to supply a logic "1" signal as the control signal to the first and second control switch means for maintaining the first control switch means in the non-conduction state and the second control switch means in the conduction state during the memory cell unit discharge step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction and arrangement of a known serial ROM device;

FIG. 2 is a view showing examples of the waveforms of the signal to appear in the ROM device shown in FIG. 1 during each readout cycle wherein diagram (A) shows an X address signal, diagram (B) shows an X address signal complementary to the X address signal indicated in diagram (A), diagram (C) shows a Y address signal, diagram (D) shows the Y address signal to be supplied to the FET to be accessed, diagram (E) shows a first control signal, diagram (F) shows a second control signal, and diagram (G) shows the waveform of the voltage to appear on the output line O of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction and arrangement of a serial ROM device embodying the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a view showing examples of the waveforms of the signal to appear in the ROM device shown in FIG. 3 during each readout cycle wherein diagram (A) shows an X address signal, diagram (B) shows an X address signal complementary to the X address signal indicated in diagram (A), diagram (C) shows a Y address signal, diagram (D) shows the Y address signal to be supplied to the FET to be accessed, diagram (E) shows a control signal, and diagram (F) shows the waveform of the voltage to appear on the output line O of the device shown in FIG. 3.

1 . . . Y address decoder,

2 . . . X address signal generator,

3 . . . X address decoder,

4 . . . Inverter,

5 . . . Output signal terminal,

6 . . . First control switch means,

7, 10 . . . Control signal generator circuits,

8₁, 8₂, . . . Second control switch means,

9 . . . Equivalent resistance,

S . . . Memory cell array, ,

S₁, S₂, . . . Series memory cell units,

Y₁₁, Y₁₂, . . . Memory cells,

X₁, X₂, . . . Cell unit selectors,

x₁, x₁, x₂, x₂, x₃, x₃, . . . X address signals,

y₁, y₂, . . . Y address signals

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to serial ROM (Read Only Memory) devices and, particularly, to a read-only memory device in which data bits are fixedly memorized during fabrication of the device. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a serial ROM device including a plurality of series combinations each of unit memory elements (hereinafter referred to as memory cells) having logic "1" and/or "0" data bits fixedly memorized therein.

The serial ROM device proposed by the present invention is characterized in that the stray capacities of a plurality of series memory cell units each consisting of a number of memory cells connected in series are to be precharged in such a manner that only one of such series memory cell units is selected and precharged during each readout cycle of operation.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Description will be hereinafter made with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings in regard to the construction and arrangement and the mode of operation of a typical example of a known serial ROM device of the type to which the present invention generally appertains.

Referring to FIG. 1, a prior-art serial ROM device comprises a Y address decoder 1 and an X address signal generator 2. A plurality of Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n) extend from the Y address decoder 1 and are connected to series combinations, of a number of n-type field-effect transistors (hereinafter referred to as FETs). Of these Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n), the address line y₁ for example is connected to the gate of a FET Y₁₁ forming the first-stage memory cell. The FET Y₁₁ has its source connected to the drain of a FET Y₁₂ forming the memory cell of the subsequent stage. Likewise, the Y address line y₂ is connected to the gate of this FET Y₁₂, which in turn has its source connected to the drain of a FET Y₁₃ forming the memory cell of the further subsequent stage. Thus, the Y address lines y₃, . . . y_(n) are connected to the gates of FETs Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n), respectively, which thus form, together with the FETs y₁₁ and y₁₂, a first series memory cell unit S₁ composed of a series combination of the FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) as shown. The Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n) are further connected through these FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) to the gates of FETs Y₂₁, Y₂₂, Y₂₃, . . . Y_(2n), respectively, which are connected in series to one another to form a second series memory cell unit S₂. A plurality of series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . are in these manners provided to form a memory cell array S. As the FET thus forming each of the memory cells of these series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . is used an FET of the enhancement type which assumes a non-conduction state when the potentials at the source and drain are equalized, if the FET is to be used for storing a logic "0" data bit. If the FET is to be used for storing a logic "1" data bit, an FET of the depletion type is used which stays in a conduction state with the potentials at the source and drain equalized. A FET of the depletion type to be used for this purpose may be substituted by a semiconductor element having an FET configuration forming a channel fixedly between the source and drain.

The FETs Y₁₁, Y₂₁, . . . forming the respective first-stage memory cells of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . have their drains connected to selectors X₁, X₂, . . . , respectively. Each of the selectors X₁, X₂, . . . consists of FETs which are serially connected together. These FETs are to serve as switching elements and have their gates connected to the X address generator 2 through X address lines. Thus, the first selector X₁ is composed of three FETs X₁₁, X₁₂ and X₁₃ which have their gates connected to the X address generator 2 through X address lines x₁, x₂ and x₃, respectively, and the second selector X₂ is composed of three FETs X₂₁, X₂₂ and X₂₃ which have their gates connected to the X address generator 2 through X address lines x₁, x₂ and x₃, respectively. The selectors X₁, X₂ , . . . thus arranged form an X address decoder 3. The drains of the FETs X₁₁, X₂₁ . . . forming the respective first-stage memory cells of these selectors X₁, X₂, . . . are jointly connected to an output line O which is connected through an inverter 4 to an output signal terminal 5. The output line O is further connected to a source V of a positive voltage via a p-type FET 6 which is provided to serve as first control switch means in the ROM device. This p-type FET 6 has its gate connected to a first output terminal 7a of a control signal generator circuit 7.

On the other hand, the sources of the FETs Y_(1n), Y_(2n) . . . forming the respective final-stage memory cells of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . are grounded through n-type FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . , respectively, each of which is provided to serve as second control switch means in the ROM device. These n-type FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . have their gates connected jointly to a second output terminal 7b of the above mentioned control signal generator circuit 7. Indicated at 9 is an equivalent resistance of the lines through which the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . are connected to ground.

The serial ROM device thus constructed and arranged has readout cycles each of which consists of a first or address line precharge step, a second or memory cell unit precharge step, a third or X-Y address select step, and a fourth or memory cell unit discharge step.

During the first, address line precharge step of each readout cycle as represented by time interval T_(A) in FIG. 2, logic "1" signals are supplied from the X address signal generator 2 to all the X address lines x₁, x₂, x₃, x₁, x₂ and x₃ as indicated by sections "a" and "b" of the plots X_(n) and x_(n) shown in diagrams (A) and (B) of FIG. 2. In diagrams (A) and (B) of FIG. 2, the plot "X_(n) " represents the potential at each of the X address lines x₁, x₂ and x₃ and the plot "x_(n) " represents the potential at each of the X address lines x₁, x₂ and x₃ which are complementary to the address lines x₁, x₂ and x₃, respectively. These logic "1" signals maintain all the FETs of the X address decoder 3 in conduction states and lend themselves to precharging the stray capacities of all the X address lines, viz., stray capacities between the gate and drain and the gate and source of each of the FETs X₁₁, X₁₂ and X₁₂ ; X₂₁, X₂₂ and X₂₂ ; . . . included in the X address decoder 3. Logic "1" signals are also supplied from the Y address decoder 1 to all the Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n) as indicated by sections "c" and "d" of the plots Y_(n) and Y_(s) shown in diagrams (C) and (D) of FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the plot Y_(n) indicates the potential at each of the Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . yn_(n) and the plot Y_(s) shown in diagram (D) indicates the potential at the Y address line which is connected to the row of the FETs including the FET to be accessed during a certain cycle of readout operation. The logic "1" signals supplied to the Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n) maintain all the FETs of the memory cell array S in conduction states and lend themselves to precharging the stray capacities of all the Y address lines, viz., stray capacities between the gate and drain and between the gate and source of each of the FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) ; Y₂₁, Y₂₂, Y₂₃, . . . Y_(2n), . . . of the memory cell array S. Under these conditions, a logic "1" signal is fed as a first control signal φ₁ to the gate of the FET 6 from the first output terminal 7a of the control signal generator circuit 7 and, concurrently, a logic "0" signal is fed as a second control signal φ₂ to the gate of each of the FETs 8₁ 8₂, . . . from the second output terminal 7b of the control signal generator circuit 7. The logic "1" first control signal φ₁ supplied to the gate of the FET 6 maintains the particular transistor in conduction state as indicated by section "e" of the plot φ₁ shown in diagram (E) of FIG. 2, while the logic "0" second control signal φ₂ supplied to the gates of the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . maintains these transistors in non-conduction states as indicated by section "f" of the plot φ₂ shown in diagram (F) of FIG. 2.

During the subsequent second, memory cell unit precharge step as represented by time interval T_(B) in FIG. 2, the Y address decoder 1 and the X address signal generator 2 are controlled to establish high-impedance states at all of the output terminals thereof so that there are no logic "1" or "0" signals appearing on the X address lines x₁, x₂, x₃, x₁, x₂ and x₃ and the Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n). This causes all of the X address lines x₁, x₂, x₃, x₁, x₂ and x₃ and the Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n) to shift from the logic "1" states to floating states. Immediately after the X and Y address lines are thus shifted to the floating states, the control signal generator circuit 7 supplies a logic "0" signal from the first output terminal 7a to the gate of the FET 6 as the first control signal φ₁ as indicated by section "g" in diagram (E) of FIG. 2 and thereby causes the FET 6 to shift from the non-conduction state to conduction state. Under these conditions, the control signal generator circuit 7 remains operative to supply the logic "0" signal to the gates of the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . as the second control signal φ₂ from the second output terminal 7b thereof as indicated by section "h" in diagram (F) of FIG. 2 and maintains these FETs in the conduction states. The FET 6 being made conductive, a voltage of the positive polarity is supplied from the voltage source V to the output line O as indicated by section "m" of the plot "O" shown in diagram (G) of FIG. 2. In diagram (G), the plot "O" represents the potential on the output line O. It therefore follows that a voltage varies in forward direction at the drain-side end of the floating capacitance between the gate and drain of each of the FETs X₁₁, X₁₂ and X₁₂ ; X₂₁, X₂₂ and X₂₂ ; . . . of the X address decoder 3. This provides a boost-strap effect which gives rise to a progressive increase in the potential at the gate of each of the FETs X₁₁, X₁₂ and X₁₃ ; X₂₁, X₂₂ and X₂₃ ; . . . of the X address decoder 3 and accordingly in the potential on each of the X address lines x₁, x₂, x₃, x₁, x₂ and x₃ as indicated by sections "i" and "j" in diagrams (A) and (B), respectively, of FIG. 2. In like manners, potentials increase at the gates of the FETs Y₁₁, X₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) ; Y₂₁, Y₂₂, Y₂₃, . . . Y_(2n) ; . . . of the memory cell array S and accordingly on the Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n) as indicated by sections "k" and "1" in diagrams (C) and (D), respectively, of FIG. 2.

Thus, all of the FETs maintained in the conduction states of the memory cell array S and the X address decoder 3 receive sufficiently high voltages at the respective gates thereof and are held in completely saturated states. All the FETs Y₁₁, X₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) ; Y₂₁, Y₂₂, Y₂₃, . . . Y_(2n) ; . . . constituting the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . of the memory cell array S are precharged properly from the voltage source V through the individual selectors X₁, X₂, . . . constituting the X address decoder 3. In this instance, the capacitances between the gate and drain and between the gate and source of each of the memory cell FETs Y₁₁, X₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) ; Y₂₁, Y₂₂, Y₂₃, . . . Y_(2n) ; . . . are precharged substantially uniformly to voltages which largely double the voltages of the logic "1" signals used.

During the third, X-Y address select step as indicated by time interval T_(C) in FIG. 2, the X address signal generator 2 is operative to supply a certain combination of logic "1" and "O" signals to the X address lines x₁, x₂, x₃, x₁, x₂ and x₃ to select one of the selectors X₁, X₂, . . . constituting the X address decoder 3. One of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . of the memory cell array S is thus connected through the selected one of the selectors X₁, X₂, . . . to the output line O.

Assume now that, during the current cycle of readout operation, the address signals for the X address lines x₁, x₂ and x₃ are shifted to the logic "1" levels as indicated by section "n" of diagram (A) of FIG. 2 and the address signals supplied to the X address lines x₁, x₂ and x₃ (which signals are in complementary relationship to the signals on the lines x₁, x₂ and x₃) are shifted to the logic "0" levels as indicated by section "o" of diagram (B) of FIG. 2. In this instance, all the FETs X₁₁, X₁₂ and X₁₃ forming the first selector X₁ of the X address decoder 3 are made conductive so that the first series memory cell unit S₁ of the memory cell array S is permitted to connect to the output line O. Under these conditions, a logic "0" X address signal is supplied to the gate of any of the FETs included in each of the selectors other than the first selector X₁ and, for this reason, not all of the FETs forming each of the selectors except for the first selector X₁ can be made conductive. This means that only one of the series memory cell units is permitted to connect to the output line O during the X-Y address select step T_(C) of each cycle of readout operation.

If logic "1" address signals are supplied to the X address lines x₁, x₂ and x₃ and logic "0" address signals supplied to the X address lines x₁, x₂ and x₃ address select step of the immediately subsequent readout cycle, logic "0" X address signals are supplied to the gates of any of the FETs included in the selectors other than the second selector X₂. Not all of the FETs forming the selectors except for the second selector X₂ can be made conductive so that only the second series memory cell unit S₂ of the memory cell array S is permitted to connect to the output line O.

While the X address decoder 3 is in operation selectively connecting one of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . to the output line O in the above described fashion, the Y address decoder 1 distributes logic "0" Y address signals to the gates of the FETs of the same stages, such as the respective first stages, of the individual series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . of the memory cell array S. If, for example, the FET Y₁₁ forming the first-stage memory cell in the first memory cell unit S₁ is to be accessed during the current readout cycle, the particular memory cell unit S₁ is selected and permitted to connect to the output line O by means of the first selector X₁ as above described. While the first memory cell unit S₁ is being thus connected to the output line O, the Y address signal for the Y address line y₁ alone is shifted to the logic "0" level as indicated by section " p" in diagram (D) of FIG. 2, and a logic "1" Y address signal is supplied to the gate of each of the other Y address lines y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n). If the FET Y₁₁ under consideration is of the enhancement type adapted to memorize a logic "0" data bit, only the particular FET Y₁₁ out of the FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) of the first series memory cell unit S₁ is caused to shift from the conduction state to the non-conduction state, all the other FETs Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) of the memory cell unit S₁ being maintained in the conduction states. In this instance, the logic "0" Y address signal is supplied not only to the first-stage FET Y₁₁ of the first series memory cell unit S₁ but also to the respective first-stage FETs of the remaining series memory cell units included in the memory cell array S. The first-stage FETs of the series memory cell units except for the first series memory cell unit S₁ of the memory cell array S are, however, not responsible for the readout operation of the current cycle since these memory cell units remain disconnected from the output line O throughout the particular readout cycle.

If the second-stage FET Y₁₂ of the first series memory cell unit S₁ is of the depletion type adapted to memorize a logic "1" data bit and is to be accessed during the immediately subsequent cycle of readout operation, all the FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) are maintained in the conduction states even when the Y address signal for the Y address line y₂ is shifted to the logic "0" level.

Until the third, X-Y address select step T_(C) comes to an end, a transient state lasts in which the logic "1" or "0" state of each of the individual X address signals and Y address signals for the current readout cycle is not specifically determined. The control signals φ₁ and φ₂ from the first and second output terminals 7a and 7b of the control signal generator circuit 7 are for this reason maintained at the logic "1" and "0" levels, respectively, as indicated by sections "q" and "r" in diagrams (E) and (F) of FIG. 2. The FET 6 as the first control switch means and each of the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . each as the second control switch means are thus maintained in the non-conduction states in response to the logic "1" and "0" control signals φ₁ and φ₂, respectively, so that there will be delivered no unwanted output signal until the logic states of the X and Y address signals for the current readout cycle are uniquely specified.

During the subsequent fourth, memory cell unit discharge step as indicated by time interval T_(D) in FIG. 2, the logic "1" or "0" state of each of the X address signals and Y address signals for the current readout cycle is specifically and finally determined as indicated by, for example, points o' and p' on the plots X_(n) and Y_(s) shown in diagrams (B) and (D), respectively, of FIG. 2. Immediately after the respective logic "1" and/or "0" states of the X and Y address signals are thus determined, a logic "1" signal is supplied as the second control signal φ₂ from the second output terminal 7b of the control signal generator 7 to the gate of each of the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . as indicated by section "s" in diagram (F) of FIG. 2. The FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . are accordingly shifted from the non-conduction states to the conduction states concurrently. The first-stage FET Y₁₁ of the first series memory cell unit S₁ being herein assumed to have been selected during the preceding X-Y address select step T_(C) of the current readout cycle, all the FETs Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) other than the particular FET Y₁₁ of the memory cell unit S₁ are maintained in the conduction states as above noted. The charges which have been stored in the stray capacities between the gate and drain and between the gate and source of each of the FETs Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) during the memory cell unit precharge step T_(B) are therefore passed to ground through the FETs Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) and by way of the FET 8₁ which is now maintained conductive in response to the logic "1" control signal φ₁ from the control signal generator circuit 7. The first-stage FET Y₁₁ in particular of the series memory cell unit S₁ being assumed to be of the enhancement type and being held in the non-conduction state, the charges which have been stored in the stray capacities between the gate and drain and between the gate and source of the transistor are retained therein. It therefore follows that the potential on the first selector X₁ or, in other words, the potential at the output line O is maintained at a relatively high level (indicated by section "t" in diagram (G) of FIG. 2) which is dictated by the charges thus retained in the stray capacities of the FET Y₁₁. With such a high potential built up at the output line O, the inverter 4 produces a logic "0" output signal at the output signal terminal 5.

If the second-stage FET Y₁₂ of the first series memory cell unit S₁ is to be accessed during the immediately subsequent cycle of readout operation, all the FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) of the memory cell unit S₁ are maintained in the conduction states as also noted above. The charges which have been stored in the stray capacities between the gate and drain and between the gate and source of each of these FETs Y₁₂, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) are thus passed to ground through the FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) and by way of the FET 8₁. The result is that the potential at the output line O is caused to fall to a level approximating the ground potential as indicated by section t' in diagram (G) of FIG. 2. In response to such a low potential built up at the output line O, the inverter 4 produces a logic "1" output signal at the output signal terminal 5.

Charges are passed to ground also from the stray capacities in each of the FETs of each of the series memory cell units not including the FET to be accessed. These series memory cell units remain disconnected from the output line O and are hence not conducive to the readout operation of the current cycle.

The prior-art serial ROM device shown in FIG. 1 thus performs readout operation in cycles consisting of the first or address line precharge step, the second or memory cell unit precharge step, the third, X-Y address select step and the fourth or memory cell unit discharge step as has been described hereinbefore. The first, address line precharge step of each readout cycle is for precharging all the X and Y address lines. The second, memory cell unit precharge step is for precharding all the FETs of all the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . through all of the selectors X₁, X₂, . . . by causing the potential at the gate of each of the FETs to increase by producing a boosttrap effect in each of the FETs of the X address decoder 3. By the third, X-Y address select step, one of the selectors X₁, X₂, . . . is selected from the X address decoder 3 by the logic "1" and/or "0" X address signals from the X address signal generator 2 and one of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . of the memory cell array S is permitted to connect to the output line through the selected selector. The FET which is included in this particular memory cell unit and which is to be accessed during a readout cycle is given a chance of being rendered into non-conduction state also during the X-Y address select step. During the fourth, memory cell unit discharge step, all the FETs subsequent to the FET thus rendered into the non-conduction state in each of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . are discharged. By repetition of these cycles of operation, logic "1" and/or "0" signals are selectively supplied as the X and Y address signals to the FETs of the X address decoder 3 and the memory cell array S to successively select the FETs of the memory cell array S as the memory cells to be accessed during the successive readout cycles. The information fixedly stored in each of the memory cells constituted by the FETs of the memory cell array S can thus be read out on the output line O for the purpose of electing the type of the FET to form each of the memory cells between the depletion type and the enhancement type (or any semiconductor element having an FET configuration) during fabrication of the ROM device.

In the prior-art serial ROM device, the FETs of all the selectors X₁, X₂, . . . included in the X address decoder 3 are thus made conductive to precharge the FETs of all the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . of the memory cell array during the second, memory cell precharge step of each readout cycle. It is for this reason required to have all the FETs forming the X address decoder 3 and the memory cell array S saturated completely to to assure that the capacitances between the gate and drain and between the gate and source of each of the FETs in the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . can be sufficiently and uniformly precharged. For this purpose, a boosttrap effect is utilized to cause the gate potential of each of the FETs of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . to increase. In order to increase the gate potentials of the FETs of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . , it is required to have the X address lines x₁, x.sub. 2, x₃, x₁, x₂ and x₃ and Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n) maintained in floating states during the memory cell precharge step. This results in intricacy of construction of the Y address decoder 1 and the X address signal generator 2.

The use of an increased potential at the gate of each of the FETs of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . further results in a drawback that such a high gate potential affects the operation of the peripheral circuits and may blind these circuits and destroy the performance stability of the circuits.

When the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . of the memory cell array S are being precharged, furthermore, the discharge currents from all of the memory cell units flow to ground concurrently so that objectionable voltage fluctuations occur across the equivalent resistance 9 of the line common to the sources of the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . provided as the second control switch means. These voltage fluctuations depend upon the data stored in the individual FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) ; Y₂₁, Y₂₂, Y₂₃, . . . Y_(2n) ; . . . of the memory cell array S and thus the voltage across the resistance 9 may happen to reach an unusually high level. Developemt of such a high voltage on the line common to the FETs forming the memory cell array S provides another cause of impairing the performance stability of the peripheral circuits.

The present invention contemplates elimination of these drawbacks of a prior-art serial ROM device of the described nature through provision of an improved serial ROM device which is characterized, inter alia, in that preliminarily selected one, and only one, of the series memory cell units of the memory cell array is to be precharged during the memory cell unit precharge step of each of the readout cycles. Only one of the memory cell units of the memory cell array S being thus precharged during the memory cell unit precharge step of each readout cycle, each of the FETs included in the X address decoder and the memory cell array can be accurately shifted between conduction and non-conduction states by the use of logic "1" and "0" signals of normal levels. None of the X and Y address lines thus need be shifted to a floating state so that not only the ROM device as a whole can be constructed and arranged in a significantly simplified circuit but the possibilities of erroneous operation which would otherwise result from the use of high gate potentials and the concurrent discharge of the FETs of all the memory cell units can be precluded advantageously. Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a serial ROM device which is simple in construction and which is stable in operation.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of a serial ROM device according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3.

As will be seen from FIG. 3, the serial ROM device embodying the present invention comprises a Y address decoder 1, an X address signal generator 2, an X address decoder 3 and a memory cell array S which are similar in construction and arrangement to their respective counterparts of the prior-art ROM device shown in FIG. 1. The FETs X₁₁, X₂₁ . . . forming the respective first-stage memory cells of these selectors X₁, X₂, . . . have their drains jointly connected to an output line O which is connected through an inverter 4 to an output signal terminal 5 as in the device of FIG. 1. The output line O is further connected to a source V of a positive voltage via a p-type FET 6 which is provided to serve as first control switch means. The serial ROM device embodying the present invention differs from the prior-art ROM device of FIG. 1 only in that the two-output control signal generator circuit 7 of the latter is substituted by a control signal generator circuit 10 having a single output terminal 10a. The single output terminal 10a of the circuit 10 is connected on one hand to the gate of the FET 6 and on the other hand to the gates of n-type FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . , respectively, each of which is provided to serve as second control switch means. These FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . have have their sources grounded and their drains connected to the sources of the FETs Y_(1n), Y_(2n) . . . forming the respective rinal-stage memory cells of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . , also similarly to their counterparts in the prior-art ROM device of FIG. 1.

The serial ROM device embodying the present invention has readout cycles each consisting of a first or X-Y address slect step, a second or memory cell unit precharge step and a third or memory cell unit discharge step, as represented by time intervals T'_(A), T'_(B) and T'_(C), respectively, in FIG. 4.

During the first, X-Y address select step, X address signals are supplied from the X address generator 2 to the individual FETs forming the X address decoder 3 through the X address lines x₁, x₂, x₃, x₁, x₂ and x₃ as indicated by plots X_(n) and X_(n) of diagrams (A) and (B), respectively, of FIG. 4 so that the FETs of only one of the selectors X₁, X_(y), . . . are made conductive. Only one of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . of the memory cell array S is thus permitted to connect to the output line O. Concurrently as the X address signals are supplied to the FETs of the X address decoder 3, Y address signals are supplied from the Y address decoder 1 to the FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) ; Y₂₁, Y₂₂, Y₂₃, . . . Y_(2n) ; . . . of the memory cell array S by way of the Y address lines y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n), respectively, as indicated by plots Y_(n) and Y_(s) of diagrams (C) and (D), respectively, of FIG. 4. Out of the FETs included in the memory cell array S, those FETs which are to be accessed during the current readout cycle are selected by these Y address signals and are made ready to be shifted to non-conduction states. On the other hand, a logic "1" signal is supplied as a gate control signal φ from the output terminal 10a of the control signal generator circuit 10 to the gate of the FET 6 and to the gate of each of the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . , as indicated by section "a" of the plot φ in diagram (E) of FIG. 4. Thus, the p-type FET 6 provided as the first control switch means is maintained in non-conduction state and each of the n-type FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . provided as the second control switch means is maintained in conduction state. It therefore follows that each of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . of the memory cell array S stays in a discharged condition and can not fail to be completely precharged during the X-Y address select step.

During the subsequent second or memory cell unit precharge step represented by the time interval T'_(B) in FIG. 4, a logic "0" signal is supplied as the control signal φ from the control signal generator circuit 10 to the gate of the FET 6 and to the gates of the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . , as indicated by section "b" in diagram (E) of FIG. 4. The logic "0" control signal φ shifts the p-type FET 6 from the non-conduction state to conduction state and each of the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . from the conduction state to non-conduction state. A positive voltage is thus supplied from the voltage source V to one of the series memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . of the memory cell array S through the FET 6 and the particular one of the selectors X₁, X₂, . . . that has been selected during the preceding X-Y address select step. Each of the memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . being disconnected from ground with the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . held in the non-conduction state, the FETs of the particular series memory cell unit are precharged as in the case of the prior-art device described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

During the second, memory cell unit precharge step of the ROM device embodying the present invention, the logic "0" Y address signal (indicated by the plot Y_(s) in diagram (D) of FIG. 4) has already been supplied to the gate of the FET forming the memory cell unit to be accessed during the preceding X-Y address select step. The FET forming the particular memory cell unit is thus ready to turn conductive during the memory cell unit precharge step so that, if this particular FET is of the enhancement type adapted to memorize a logic "0" data bit, the stray capacities between the gate and drain and between the gate and source of each of the FETs subsequent to the particular FET could not be precharged. If, for example, the FET Y₁₂ forming the second-stage memory cell of the first memory cell unit S₁ is to be addressed during the current readout cycle and is of the enhancement type, the stray capacities between the gate and drain and between the gate and source of each of the FETs subsequent to the FET Y₁₂ could not be precharged. If, conversely, the FET Y₁₂ is of the depletion type adapted to memorize a logic "1" data bit, all the FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) of the memory cell unit S₁ including the FET Y₁₂ and connected to the output line O are shifted from the non-conduction states to conduction states so that the stray capacities between the gate and drain and between the gate and source of each of the FETs Y₁₁, Y₁₂, Y₁₃, . . . Y_(1n) of the memory cell unit S₁ are precharged. In this instance, these FETs can be saturated completely with normal levels of logic "1" and "0" signals received at the gates of the FETs since there are no FETs maintained in conduction states other than the FETs of the first memory cell unit S₁.

During the subsequent third or memory cell unit discharge step represented by the time interval T'_(C) in FIG. 4, a logic "1" signal is supplied as the control signal φ from the control signal generator circuit 10 to the gate of the FET 6 and the gates of the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . , as indicated by section "f" of the plot φ of diagram (E) of FIG. 4. Accordingly, the FET 6 is caused to shift from the conduction state back to the non-conduction state and each of the FETs 8₁, 8₂, . . . caused to shift from the non-conduction state back to the conduction state. The FETs of the sole series memory cell unit which has been precharged during the second, memory cell unit precharge step (T'_(A)) are thus disconnected from the voltage source V and are discharged through the FET 8₁. In these manners, the potential at the output line O is maintained either at a relatively high level or at a relatively low level (indicated by sections " g" and "g'" in the plot N_(s) of diagram (F) of FIG. 4). With the high or low potential built up at the output line O, the inverter 4 produces a logic "0" or "1" output signal at the output signal terminal 5. The operation to read the information fixedly memorized in a FET forming a memory cell of either the enhancement type or the depletion type (or a semiconductor element of FET configuration) is thus similar to the operation during the fourth memory cell unit discharge step in the prior-art ROM device described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 except in that the operation proceeds solely in respect of one and only one of the series memory cell units in the device embodying the present invention. It may however be herein noted that, in the device embodying the present invention, the floating capacitances between the gate and drain and between the gate and source of each of the FETs subsequent to the FET to be accessed are not precharged during the memory cell unit precharge step (T'_(B)) and are for this reason not discharged during the memory cell unit discharge step (T'_(C)).

As will have been understood from the foregoing description, a serial ROM device according to the present invention is characterized in that only one of the memory cell units S₁, S₂, . . . is selected during the first, X-Y address select step and is precharged during the immediately subsequent memory cell unit precharge step of each readout cycle. The floating capacitances of a small number of FETs included in only one series memory cell unit need be precharged and, for this reason, the particular FET to be accessed during each readout cycle can be fully saturated with logic signals of normal levels without utilizing the boosttrap effect to increase the gate potentials. The particular series memory cell unit selected can thus be precharged sufficiently and uniformly and, as a consequence, the X and Y address lines need not be maintained floating states when in precharging the series memory cell units. This will contribute to drastic simplification of the circuit arrangement and to stabilization of the performance of the device by preclusion of objectionable effects which might otherwise be exerted on the peripheral circuitry by the use of high gate potentials.

Because, furthermore, of the fact that the floating capacitances of a small number of FETs included in only one series memory cell unit need be discharged during the third, memory cell unit discharge step, the current to be discharged through the grounding line common to the FETs of the individual series memory cell units can be reduced significantly. This will be useful for avoiding occurrences of erroneous operation that would otherwise result from fluctuations in the voltage across the equivalent resistance of the common grounding line, thus contributing to further stabilization of the performance of the device.

It being not required to increase the gate potentials with the utilization of the boosttrap effect, the device according to the present invention can dispense with the address line precharge step for supplying logic "1" signals to all of the X and Y address lines before the series memory cell units are to be precharged. This will contribute to reduction of the period of time necessary for the readout operation of each cycle. 

We claim:
 1. A serial ROM device comprisinga plurality of series memory cell means (S₁, S₂, . . . ) each including at least one logic-"0" memorizing memory cell of an FET (Y₁₁, Y₁₂, . . . ) which has a logic "1" bit fixedly memorized therein and which is operative to assume a non-conduction state when supplied with a logic "0" Y address signal (y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n)), and at least one logic-"1" memorizing memory cell of an FET (Y₁₁, Y₁₂, . . . ) which has a logic "0" bit fixedly memorized therein and which is operative to stay in a non-conduction state when supplied with a logic "0" Y address signal (y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n)), said memory cells being connected in series with one another from a first-stage to a final-stage in a fixedly determined sequence, Y address decoding means (1) for distributing logic "0" Y address signals (y₁, y₂, y₃, . . . y_(n)) successively and respectively to common gate lines each interconnecting the gates of the FETs forming the memory cells of corresponding stages in said series memory cell means (S₁, S₂, . . . ), X address decoding means (3) for connecting jointly to an output line (O) the FETs forming the respective first-stage memory cells of the individual series memory cell means (S₁, S₂, . . . ) in response to X address signals (x₁, x₁, x₂, x₂, x₃ and x₃) successively and respectively to common gate lines each interconnecting the gates of the FETs forming the memory cells of corresponding stages in said series memory cell means (S₁, S₂, . . . ), first control switch means (6) provided between said output line (O) and a voltage source (V) and operative to have the voltage source connected to or disconnected from the output line "O" in response to a control signal (φ), second control switch means (8₁, 8₂, . . . ) provided between ground and each of said series memory cell means (S₁, S₂, . . . ) and operative to have the FETs forming the respective final-stage memory cells of the individual series memory cell means (S₁, S₂, . . . ) connected to or disconnected from ground in response to said control signal (φ), and control signal generating means (10) for supplying said control signal (φ) to said first and second control switch means (6; 8₁, 8₂, . . . ), the ROM device having successive readout cycles each starting with the supply of said X address signals (x₁, x₁, x₂, x₂, x₃ and x₃) and each consisting an X-Y address select step, a memory cell unit precharge step and a memory cell unit discharge step, said control signal generating means (10) being operative to supply a logic "1" signal as the control signal (φ) to said first and second control switch means (6; 8₁ 8₂, . . . ) for maintaining the first control switch means (6) in non-conduction state and the second control switch means (8₁, 8₂, . . . ) in conduction state during said X-Y address select step, to supply a logic "0" signal as the control signal (φ) to said first and second control switch means (6; 8₁, 8₂, . . . ) for maintaining the first control switch means (6) in conduction state and the second control switch means (8₁, 8₂, . . . ) in non-conduction state during said memory cell unit precharge step, and to supply a logic "1" signal as the control signal (φ) to said first and second control switch means (6; 8₁, 8₂, . . . ) for maintaining the first control switch means (6) in the non-conduction state and the second control switch means (8₁, 8₂, . . . ) in the conduction state during said memory cell unit discharqe step.
 2. A serial read-only-memory device, comprising:(a) a matrix of memory cells (S) wherein each memory cell unit (S1, S2,) includes a plurality of serially-connected FET's (Y11, Y12,) which store information in a manner of logic "1" or "0"; (b) X and Y address decoder means (1, 2, 3) coupled to said matrix of memory cells, for selecting a memory cell in said matrix; (c) a first switching means (6) connected between said matrix of memory cells and an output line (5) and operative to have the matrix of memory cells connected to or disconnected from the output line (5) in response to a control signal phi; (d) a second switching means (8) connected between said matrix of memory cells and ground and operative to have the FET's forming the respective final-stage memory cells of the individual memory cell unit (S1, S2,) connected to or disconnected from ground in response to said control signal phi; and (e) means for supplying said control signal phi to said first and second switching means, whereby a portion of said matrix containing said selected memory cell is precharged and remaining portion is not precharged.
 3. A serial read-only-memory device according to claim 2, wherein, during the period for precharging said selected portion of matrix, said control signal allows said first switching means conductive, and keeps said second switching means non-conductive. 